(Chicago, IL – September 13, 2010) Marwen announces its fifth annual Art Fair, a celebration, exhibition, and sale featuring approximately 150 works created by Marwen students, alumni, staff, and teaching artists—reflecting a wide range of styles and media. Art Fair is an evening of food, drink, music, and engagement with artists who are present to discuss their work. Half of the proceeds of each work sold benefits Marwen’s free art programs for Chicago’s under-served young people; the other half benefits the artist. Lowry Hill is the presenting sponsor of Art Fair. Art Fair attendees may vote for the winners of the “Threadless Live at Marwen” t-shirt design challenge; full proceeds of Threadless display art sold at the event benefit Marwen. DJ STV SLV of The Hood Internet spins a live set. Catering is by e.leaven Food Company.

Art Fair is Friday, November 5, 2010 from 5:30-11pm (DJ set begins at 8pm) in Marwen’s River North gallery space. A suggested donation of $40 includes food and drinks; $30 advance tickets available (before October 31) at Marwen.org. Marwen is located at 833 North Orleans Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610. The phone number for general inquiries is 312.944.2418. Marwen is online at Marwen.org.

“Over the past five years, Art Fair has evolved into a celebration of all that is unique and successful about Marwen: the creativity of our students, alumni, teaching artists, and staff,” said Executive Director Antonia Contro. “This year’s Art Fair builds on the event’s signature festive atmosphere with the participation of Threadless—both with original art work and a t-shirt design challenge—and a live DJ. And Marwen is, of course, grateful for the continued support of Art Fair’s presenting sponsor, Lowry Hill.”

About “Threadless Live at Marwen”

The “Threadless Live at Marwen”design challenge is a call for t-shirt design submissions on the theme of “Artists Supporting Artists.” Submissions are being accepted from three groups: Marwen students, Marwen alumni and teaching artists, and friends of Marwen (the general public). (Marwen and Threadless employees are excluded from participating.) The due date for all submissions is October 11. Design templates, parameters, and instructions may be found at Marwen.org. Before the event, five finalist designs will be selected from each of the three groups for the “final round” of voting “live” at Art Fair—a total of 15 designs from which to choose three outstanding designs. Finalists will be announced October 15. At Art Fair, each of the 15 designs will be displayed, and guests will vote on their favorite design—one per group. Three grand prize winners will receive a $100 prize, an autographed copy of the Threadless 10th anniversary book, and a one-year membership in Threadless’ 12 Club. All of the 15 finalists (including the 3 grand prize winners) also receive a $50 gift code to Threadless and complimentary entry to Art Fair + 1 guest.

All 15 finalist designs will be available for purchase after Art Fair through Society6, with a percentage of proceeds benefitting Marwen. Society6, an organization founded on the principal of “artists supporting artists,” is a Threadless partner and provides a marketplace for artists’ designs. By entering the “Threadless Live at Marwen” contest, participants agree to waive design ownership rights in the event that a design is chosen as one of the 15 finalists.